The Philadelphia 76ers (15-17) had lost 8 of their last 9 road games, and heading to LA to face the Los Angeles Lakers (15-16), another road loss looked inevitable. A potential All-Star, Jrue Holiday was looking to treat 35 of his family members to a show in Hollywood. The last time the Sixers beat the Lakers in LA, Andre Iguodala hit a buzzer-beating three pointer to silence the home crowd. Keep in mind that the Lakers are coached to not play incredible defense, but to score the ball with consistency.

Holiday rises up for one of his big 3-pointers.

The first quarter saw the Sixers start out hot. Jrue Holiday had a Kobe-esque first quarter, leading all scorers with 13. Jrue swished a wing three-pointer and then made a layup 15 seconds later to put the Sixers up by seven early. Jason Richardson contributed to the strong first quarter with an opposite wing three pointer to put the Sixers up 14-5. Jrue Holiday knocked down a baseline jumper just minutes later to put the Sixers up 20-9. Kobe Bryant hit a jumper to bring the Lakers within three points. PHI 28 LAL 25 – end of the first quarter.

These two teams from opposite sides of the country traded buckets for most of the second quarter. In fact, the entire period was twelve minutes of runs back-and-forth. With 6:30 to play, a very hot Dorell Wright hit a three to put the Sixers up 41-38. After another Lakers run, the Sixers fought back to tie the game on another Dorell Wright three pointer. Thanks to back-to-back Evan Turner buckets, the Sixers lead at the end of the first half. PHI 54 LAL 50 – halftime.

The Sixers damaged the Lakers in the third. Jrue led off the quarter with a three from the top of the key to make the score 57-50. Moments later, J-Rich made a six-footer to put the Sixers up nine. From this point on, the Lakers and Sixers traded buckets and runs. PHI 81 LAL 73 – end of the third quarter.

The pivotal fourth quarter would obviously decide the outcome of the game and the Sixers responded well to the challenge. In the early stages of the quarter, a Lavoy Allen jumper made the score 85-75. The Sixers and Lakers traded buckets for a while. With 5:24 to play, Evan Turner got all net on a three ball to put the Sixers up seven. J-Rich made a layup later in the quarter to make the score 99-90. But, the Lakers fought back–and it was very scary. Kobe Bryant hit three on an isolation play to make it a two point affair with eighty-eight seconds to play. But, Spencer Hawes responded with his favorite: a baseline jumper off the pick and roll. Then, Jrue Holiday put the game away on a monster dunk to put the Sixers up six. PHI 103 LAL 99 – Final.

This was a huge win for the Sixers. Hopefully, this victory is something that they can build on and finish up the road trip with some wins. Now, on to topics.

Player(s) of the Game

Lavoy Allen made sure these two guys had plenty to be angry about.

Even though he was not really mentioned above, Lavoy Allen was the game changer. Lavoy had a monumental 10 points (5/8 FG) and 6 rebounds. He also defended Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol pretty well. The Lakers key big men COMBINED for only 18 points.